Full Title: Large-Scale Electricity Interconnection. Technology and prospects for cross-regional networks
Author(s): International Energy Agency
Publisher(s):
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
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Description (excerpt):
Electricity networks have been built for over a century. Electrification started in major cities, which have become progressively interconnected to improve security of supply. This trend still continues today and leads to vast interconnections spanning the border of states and now reaching a continental scale. For most of this time, the network was built and optimised for a high-carbon power system relying on a small number of large, centralised power plants and feeding a transmission grid located reasonably near to load centres. While continental-scale interconnected and frequency harmonised systems have existed for decades, large-scale long-distance power flows have been limited, and interconnections primarily served system security purposes. In addition, traditionally the distribution system has been unidirectional, distributing electricity flowing from the transmission system down to end users whose demand was generally regarded as rigid and exogenous.
Such electricity networks are not well suited to serve a low-carbon energy system, which will tend towards greater decentralisation as highlighted in IEA decarbonisation scenarios. Significant reinforcement of long-distance transmission capacity within systems and enhanced interconnection between systems will be necessary to achieve the climate, security and affordability objectives of delivering electricity in the 21st century.